Mom Answers

Every hospital is different so you may want to check with where you are delivering specifically but most hospitals have a general rule of 4cm like you said. If this is your first time try not to stress, most first time moms have longer labors so you will more than likely have PLENTY of time to get an epidural. You could stay at 4 cm for anywhere between 1-12hrs both are long enough to get an epirdural. Just make sure that once you get to the hospital and they do your check if they say you are 4cm and having continous contractions and they are going to keep you at the hospital make sure you tell them right away you want an epidural so they know to let the anesthesiologist know to be available.

I was induced, and the induction failed. I was in the hospital for 34 hours before my son was born. That being said, the following morning, I was still only 1.5cm dilated. I was in a ridiculous amount of pain from the medication, and they gave me the epidural then. After that, I started progressing well. It depends on your doctor & their methods, along with your pain level.

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